“Old Man” by Keith Garrett
Who he did not matter to me as each day I passed his way,
On a porch swing or rocking chair, he would read or listen to the world.
I gave him a smile in which he replied with a smirk from his face,
Who are you who sits in the morning sun thinking thoughts never done.?
I am a man but once a child running from sunrise till dusk, I am a man,
I’ve seen the years and have done many things in my time, once full of energy.
‘Old man’ on your porch is sitting there all that you do, tell me your story,
Are you waiting to die as each day you grow weary from nothing at all?
You are much younger than I as there was a day when I too looked like you,
What makes you think that I did not dream, that I did not succeed.
Who keeps a man company as he rests alone every day, who loves you,
As once their lived for me a love so true, she went away, who are you.?
I am an old man and for me, there was a love of beauty so fine,
Today I am loved by those who will pass me by, listen and smile.
Do you fear that life has not much more time for you old friend,
Will you grow tired of quiet nights with thoughts that never end.?
Tomorrow sunrise brings with it a new beginning, possibilities,
When I grow tired then sleep visits me, dreams fill this old man.
I am young but not so wise as I did not understand passing by,
The day will come when I too will be somewhat like you.
You called me old friend as just moments ago I was a stranger,
I did not matter to you, wisdom will grow but learn from it.
As I pass this way I will see you in a different way fore you do matter,
You’re not just an old man, you have spirit and soul, old man,
My friend.

COMING ON IS AUGUST

The end of another month, hot Summer nights are here,

Tomorrow a new day begins, a name for another beginning.

August brings us a most hated heatwave, long days are coming,

I awake in the night to heat that grows stronger into the morning light,

Coming on is August when the sun rises to a different Summer chapter.

Darkness fades early as the brightness of a morning new is upon us all,

Sleep well tonight, everyone across the world will wake to an August once again.

What to expect when we rise to tomorrow, get up early to a quiet start,

Coming on is August, I wait for a cooler day to replace its name.

Keith Garrett

IF I EVER GROW OLD

From where my world began throughout my travels to different lands,

The history of my life up until this point has been written and put in a box.

I’m still young, but what is young, a number attached to the years lived here,

It’s a feeling inside, energy that you put out and the wanting of life keeps you young.

If I ever grow old then I’ll have been the lucky one, given a gift of more time to dream,

My book of life will be full of pages that describe who I am and then one day was.

There will be many thoughts and memories of a man’s life, pictures of my existence,

Will I be forever remembered or perhaps thought of by those still living.

Will only the name of me, that which was given be all that rests of my life,

If I ever grow old will I be of good health and mind to sit back in a rocking chair

So that my children or Grandchildren may listen to me as I share my thoughts.

If I ever grow old then to the lord I’ll thank for this book of life full of stories told.

Keith Garrett

IF I COULD MAKE IT ALRIGHT

My eyes I would give you and be blind so you could see,

So that you could hear the sounds of the world, deaf I would be.

I would give up my voice that you may sing out your song,

Hold onto your hand when the pain of life becomes too strong.

If I could make it alright, any sickness for you would be my fight,

If I could make it alright, my sleep I would lose so you may rest through the night.

My heart is mine just as your heart belongs to you,

If I could make it alright then know that my heart I would give to you.

The ultimate gift would be to give so that another could live,

If your heart did cease to beat then my life I would give to you.

Keith Garrett

WONDER

What things may be of wonder, beyond the universe,

God created heaven and earth, I wonder, who is God?

I at times wonder why the world is covered in water,

We can not drink it, our Earth has a water shortage.

Do you wonder why man and nature exist together,

I wonder why man destroys everything and nature.

To wonder is to dream, to have thoughts, Imagine,

I wonder if this world will survive long enough to keep wondering?

Keith Garrett

I WILL FIND YOU

It was a warm Summers night when last you were seen,

Disappeared did you into the quiet darkness, but where.?

No understanding to my mind as why this could be,

Was there something wrong, what bothered your heart.?

I will find you, walk the open roads to anywhere,

Climb up high into the hills beyond the height of the trees.

Into the dark forest, fear will not weaken me,

Town after town I will search forever for thee.

Across lakes of many, I will travel, I will find you,

Know that from dawn till dusk focus is in me.

Your trail is followed, the reasons for your departure are such a mystery,

I will find you, the truth shall be known.

Whether it be of force or a thought of your own.

I am known to you as you are to me,

I will find you, this will be.

Keith Garrett

I TURNED NINETY FOUR

Do you recall being thirteen, So long ago for me, Like a dream,

Playing with friends, girls, and boys whom I haven’t seen for years.

Where are they, I wonder If my old school mates are alive, once a child,

Growing up as a teen full of energy, malt shops, drive-In movies, and T.V.

A few friends still In touch with Is a most special gift of all, I recall,

Vietnam came along, A sad song, some boys I once knew are now gone.

Times have changed, music, cars, dancing, and those long lost childhood ways,

I was once thirteen with dreams of growing up and having a wonderful family.

These things of wonder are now all gone, once my future now the past,

I was at a time very young playing in the sun, Sitting here now I am old,

I turned ninety four, memories of a life playing In the sun with friends now gone.

Keith Garrett

GRANDCHILD

A dream, a mystery, for me has not been seen,

A child just born to this world, I have learned.

A descendant, a great grandchild to my Father, mother,

A young child so new, I heard you’re a little boy, I heard.

Not your name can I say, I don’t know you, no name given to me,

A grandchild, not for me to see, a daughter so bitter, sorry.

I say to you Grandchild, I am Grandfather with a name,

One day you will understand, anger and a grudge will haunt your land.

Keith Garrett

I STOOD LAST NIGHT

In the dark of night, a clear sky that showed stars of plenty,

I stood last night all alone with my thoughts and fears.

A beautiful, quiet, night with everything around In my sight,

Wondering, thinking about my tomorrow and what’s to come.

I looked far beyond the stars trying hard to see beyond the mystery,

It appeared that all out there was so still to my eyes but forever moving.

I stood last night watching time go by, examing what my life Is about,

Which part of the day might this be In my time, I’m sure It’s a bit past noon.

I stood last night wondering what kind of world I am living in as I age more,

There Is much angry energy around, Is love the greatest wonder of all.?

Keith Garrett

ORPHANAGE

Lost inside within a place full of lives,

How many care that they are there?

Not a pretty sight by day or by night,

A smile fades as not a family rescues you this day.

The halls hold eyes that have wishes deep inside,

Bring us home, we need a father and mother of our own.

An orphanage is not a home, nor a place we should roam,

Take us from here, we pray that you may love us and hear.

Keith Garrett